Frigidaire FSE747GES1 overheating and driving up electric bill

[port42]

The top of this unit is too hot to touch and the top rear of it is scorched. I tore it apart last night and completely cleaned the entire route of lint from the lint collector in the front, all the way through the exterior house wall. After all the cleaning, the dryer is still too hot to touch after a few minutes of running: THIS MAY EXPLAIN OUR SUDDEN $180 MONTHLY ELECTRIC BILL!!!

Most all web posts related to overheating dryers point to an airflow problem, but we clearly don't have that problem.

After reading a million web posts about dryers overheating, I've come to 2 possible conclusions:

1) The 240v heating coil is possibly grounding out (touching metal where it shouldn't) and thus causing the element to be heated continuously because it also will bypass the safety thermostat?

2) Possible cycle thermostat failure?

I went through the schematic and parts list from the link (http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?ma...gram_id=265128), and can't find any other thermostat, other than part #33 which appears to only be the safety one.

This dryer was purchased in 1998 and has always been good to us. I've only had to replace the rear bearing assy once three yrs ago, which I understand is common due to overloading the drum. Times are tough right now, so ANY HELP OR ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

I need to crack this unit back open asap, but before I do, I was hoping to get info on the location of the operating thermostat and a price. I can probably verify the heating coil issue if any. THANKS.

[jeff1]

Hi,

After all the cleaning, the dryer is still too hot to touch after a few minutes of running:

Disconnect the vent from the dryer and try. Also check the ducts inside the dryer and the lint filter.

I was hoping to get info on the location of the operating thermostat and a price.

On the fan blower housing.
http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?ma...ducts_id=15082

jeff.

[port42]

Originally Posted by jeff1

Hi,



Disconnect the vent from the dryer and try. Also check the ducts inside the dryer and the lint filter.



On the fan blower housing.
http://www.apwagner.com/index.php?ma...ducts_id=15082

jeff.

Thanks for the quick reply Jeff. I did run this last night with the vent disconnected and got the same result. I cleaned the blower and housing with a toothbrush and vacuum, then compressed air. Airflow is good and blower working well. We then ran the unit on high heat with a wet load and within minutes, the top was too hot to touch. We then ran it on low heat and the top was cooler. In both cases the clothes were drying. This tells me that the temperature switch (#15 on controls parts list) is fine. It looks like the part you've referenced for me could certainly be the culprit because it seems to pick up the air temperature at the blower.

So....thank you: I'll know what to order after I have another go at it. However, have you heard of this heating element grounding issue I read about? Or do you think this dryer thermostat is the likely culprit? The reason I question it is because this sucker is so hot that I'd expect the safety thermostat to stop the dryer before it gets this hot.

[jeff1]

Grounded heating element is common...
http://www.applianceaid.com/grounded.html

jeff.

[Toptier]

i agree grounded heater check heater terminal to ground if u have continuity its grounded